November 1, 2014
Florida Leather -n- Fetish Pride Weekend
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Last year's inaugural Florida Leather -n- Fetish Pride Weekend was a big success, and this year's weekend promises to be even bigger and better. The Flamingo Resort (4601 34th St. S., St. Petersburg) is the host venue once again, and will welcome crowds starting on Friday, November 7, with events being presented at the complex through Sunday, November 9.
According to organizers, Florida Leather -n- Fetish Pride Weekend is "designed to celebrate our love of the Leather and Fetish lifestyle...from Leather, BDSM, rubber/Latex, sports gear, military uniforms, underwear, cigars to human animals like puppies and ponies." During the weekend, there will be vendors, workshops, demonstrations, parties, a parade of colors, raffles, and even a couple of contests.
One of the centerpieces of the weekend is the Florida Puppy Contest. Last year the International Puppy Contest was held at the Flamingo Resort, and this year the first-ever Florida Puppy Contest will debut starting on Friday, November 7. This is a learning experience and all beginner puppies are encouraged to apply. "Human puppies" act much like actual puppies do, and they also have masters who give them orders such as telling them to sit and behave and the like. The winner of the contest will receive a cash prize and will be encouraged to attend the international contest of their choosing.
It is free to attend Florida Leather -n- Fetish Pride Weekend at the Flamingo Resort, and there is free parking provided. The Flamingo is offering discounted room rates based on a three-night stay; their current rate for all three nights is $79 per night. If you only want to stay one or two days, the rate is $89 per night. During the weekend, the show "Lip-Schtick" will be performed in the Blu Room. Tickets are $20 each; both the rooms and the show tickets can be purchased by calling (727) 321-5000.
The Florida Leather -n- Fetish Pride Weekend is sponsored by the Tampa Leather Club. For more information, visit flafp.com and flamingofla.com
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
